MARYSVILLE, Calif. (Feb. 17, 2026) – Yuba Water Agency today shared that the contract employee injured during last week’s penstock pipe rupture is now in stable condition and in good spirits. The update was provided during Yuba Water’s regular Board of Directors meeting and included new information about the penstock incident, the environmental response and the agency’s path forward.
“Our first concern has always been the wellbeing of the people involved, which is why I give today’s update with a note of positivity, knowing that the people affected by Friday’s incident are stable and on the road to recovery,” said Yuba Water General Manager Willie Whittlesey. “A few of us had the chance to visit our injured contract employee in the hospital yesterday, and we were relieved to see him in stable condition and in good spirits. He gave us permission to share that update, and we’re grateful for that. We also want to respect his request for privacy as he focuses on healing.”
Whittlesey also thanked the many first responders who rescued the people stranded and injured after the pipeline ruptured.
The agency shared additional details about its ongoing response to the incident and plan for recovery. This includes ongoing efforts by Yuba Water, environmental contractors and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to contain and remove debris above the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Englebright Lake.
“We are turning the corner on this incident and are now working on a plan for the next few weeks and months,” Whittlesey said. “We recognize the seriousness of what happened and the impacts to our community and the Yuba River, and we’re committed to a thorough and comprehensive investigation into exactly what occurred. We have a long road to recovery ahead, but we remain committed to rebuilding and continuing to serve the people of Yuba County.”
Whittlesey emphasized that New Bullards Bar Dam, which is approximately five miles upstream of the incident site, was not impacted by Friday’s pipeline rupture, and that New Bullards Bar Reservoir has plenty of capacity to manage the current storms.
Support to implement Upper Long Bar Restoration Project on the lower Yuba River
Additionally, Yuba Water approved a $300,000 grant to South Yuba River Citizens League to help them implement a $2.1 million fish habitat restoration project on the lower Yuba River. The Upper Long Bar Restoration Project will improve habitat conditions for young salmon and steelhead by increasing habitat diversity, food availability and refuge from predators and high flows.
The project builds on earlier habitat restoration efforts in the lower Yuba River that Yuba Water has previously supported, along with state and local partners. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer.
The board did vote, however, not to move on a second grant request for $100,000, which would have provided planning funds to South Yuba River Citizens League for another fish habitat project.
“If all things were the same as they were on Thursday, the 12th, we would be here asking you to approve both,” Whittlesey said. “Both projects are valuable to the Yuba River, but our financial position has changed. We need time to take inventory of our financial impacts before approving anything that doesn’t have immediate implications.”
“I think it’s in this agency’s best interest to show continuity, but also, we need to be clear that we will have limits in our financial capabilities moving forward,” he said.
Learn more about Yuba Water at yubawater.org.